 "Absolute MUST READ" | 2009-11-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2CKUYIJYEF4AD |
| The book itself can be difficult to read & follow at times. But this is an absolute read to gain insight into the ultra lib's playbook. Very, very informative. Democrats would do well to read this book so we can ALL understand what the current party leadership is doing. |
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 "Great primer of the enemies' tactics, make sure to buy it used.....as to not add a dime to this man's estate." | 2009-11-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3OP03RFS7HVQJ |
| This book pulls back the skin of one of the twisted minds of the 20th century. Alinsky's philosophy...use cheap parlor tricks to dazzle lowlifes into joining together to effect change that ultimately doesn't do them or the society at large any good, and they were never deserving of it in the first place. It is a story of a man that was more about self agrandizement than "helping the downtrodden". The sad part about this book is that the tactics he uses are very effective, and the only defense against them is to have an educated, solid appreciation, of world history, and a faith in mankind to ultimately do well, and to always win the war against injustice by not having faith in the collective, but having faith collectively, and individually in each other. Please buy this book used. |
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| "For people that love the USA" | 2009-10-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2OOWASJUW9JFW |
A must read for anyone wanting to know how and why this country is headed on a path to socialism !!! |
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 "History adds another review of this sad book..." | 2009-10-28 |
| - Reviewed By gputerbaugh_en_france |
Saul Alinsky never managed to achieve any real power in his own lifetime, or he might have added one all-important footnote to his sad little book: "Dump these rules if you ever do get into power."
The primary example here is "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." This may (MAY!) be helpful at times during a campaign, but it is deadly when the campaigning is over.
We have the example right before our eyes: the current administration can't seem to go a week without picking a target, freezing it, personalizing it, and then attacking it. So far we have doctors accused of performing unnecessary operations, legitimate holders of corporate bonds attacked as speculators, insurance companies, Wall Street companies, veterans, tea party activists, an individual white police officer, talk show hosts, an entire news organization, and now even the Chamber of Commerce --- all singled out for attack and demonization.
This is not called "governing." It's called "making enemies as fast as you possibly can, at a time when you need all the popular support you can possibly get." |
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| "The tactical rules which poisoned America's politics and polarized its people" | 2009-10-26 |
| - Reviewed By mpipher |
This Chicago based socialist/activist author has, in all likelihood, done more to "change" modern America and to polarize its people and its politics than any other man; and this book spells out precisely how his minions and his disciples (including such Chicago notables as Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, and those in ACORN who indoctrinated Barack Obama) did it. I emphasize the word "change" since that was a major thrust of the author. The ramifications of this book go far beyond its date of publication. For it is exactly as its title asserts: a set of tactics and tactical rules to be adhered to by organizers, radicals, activists, and revolutionaries in their drive to overthrow the establishment and, as the author says, "CHANGE THE WORLD FROM WHAT IT IS TO WHAT THEY BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE."
The book is loosely divided into three parts. Initially, the author presents his view of life and society, revealing his own radical ideology. As he sees it, society is structured in three levels: At the top are what he terms the "Haves" (nowadays termed "The Rich") - the few who have the money, the power, and the law on their side and whose primary interest is in maintaining the status quo. At the bottom are the "Have-Nots" - those who have little money, no power, and no hope of bettering their condition but who have a strong desire to relieve the "Haves" of what they possess. In the middle are the "Have-a-Little, Want Mores" (the middle class) - those who have a little and want to keep it and are generally too complacent to take any action to improve their lot. The (to me somewhat fanciful) goal, as asserted by the author, is to educate radicals and provide the tactics and tactical rules by which they can lead the "Have-Nots" to the promised land of money and power by taking what the "Haves" have.
In the mid-section of the book, Alinsky identifies the types of people who will made good radical organizers and explains how they should be trained. Then, in the third part he mandates the tactics and tactical rules which they must employ to achieve their ends.
Here are a few excerpts from the book to whet the reader's appetite: A revolutionary organizer must shake up the prevailing patterns of their lives--agitate, create disenchantment and discontent. (pg. xxi) Remember: once you organize people around something as commonly agreed upon as pollution, then an organized people is on the move. (pg. xxiii) History is a relay of revolutions; the torch of idealism is carried by the revolutionary group until this group becomes an establishment, and then quietly the torch is put down to wait until a new revolutionary group picks it up for the next leg of the run. Thus the revolutionary cycle goes on. (pg. 22) The eleventh rule of the ethics of means and ends is that goals must be phrased in general terms like "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," "Of the Common Welfare," "Pursuit of Happiness," or " Bread and Peace." ["Change"?] (pg. 45) The job of the organizer is to maneuver and bait the establishment so that it will publicly attack him as a "dangerous enemy." (pg. 100) But it is equally difficult for you to surrender that little image of God created in our own likeness, which lurks in all of us and tells us that we secretly believe that we know what's best for the people. (pg.123) As we have indicated before, all issues must be polarized if action is to follow. (pg. 133) Fifth rule: Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. (pg. 128) Eighth rule: Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions, and utilize all events of the period for your purpose. (pg. 128) Rule thirteen: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. (pg. 130) A leader may struggle toward a decision and weigh the merits and demerits of a situation which is 52 per cent positive and 48 per cent negative, but once the decision is reached he must assume that his cause is 100 per cent positive and the opposition 100 per cent negative. (pg. 134)
As I began reading this book, first published 38 years ago, it became apparent to me that, although people may not have known it at the time and most may still not know it, the author, Chicago based socialist/activist Saul Alinsky, may very well have been the most dangerous man in America. And time has pretty well borne that out since, in the main, radical leaders are now in power and now dominate America's political scene. Strangely enough, however, the real "Have-Nots," those without money, power, and hope, are pretty much where they've always been and where they will always to be, but now they're waiting for the "Have-a-Little, Want Mores" to join them.
There can be no doubt that, at the community level, Saul Alinksy's methods did much good work and relieved much suffering. But when applied at the national level they have poisoned America's political process and polarized the nation. So, although I feel that the implementation of Alinsky's methods has done great harm, when viewed from the standpoint of its intended purpose, this book rates five stars. Everyone should at least be aware of it.
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| "Very enlightening!" | 2009-10-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2H8L1XMBBVNVA |
Bought the book to review Mr. Alinksy's rules and methods for budding socialists/communist/fellow travelers to use when promoting sooialist/communist idology in communities.
Very enlightening and a must read (along with the Communist Manifesto for any American who wants to combat the spread of those ideas in the USA. |
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